Apparatus and method for controlling an electrical switch array
First Claim
1. An electrical switching apparatus configured for low power operation;
- the apparatus comprising;
(a) a plurality of switching devices;
said plurality of switching devices being arranged in a switching array permitting sensing of individual switching events by selected switching devices of said plurality of switching devices;
(b) a switching control device coupled with said switching array;
said control device providing power to said switching array for said sensing and for a first time interval after a first said switching device of said plurality of switching devices is actuated;
said control device identifying said first switching device during said first time interval;
said control device interrupting power to said switching array after said first time interval until said first switching device is deactuated;
said control device providing power to said switching array for a second time interval after said first switching device is deactuated;
said control device determining during said second time interval whether a second said switching device of said plurality of switching devices other than said first switching device is actuated.
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Abstract
An electrical switching apparatus configured for low power operation includes: (a) a plurality of switching devices arranged in a switching array permitting sensing of individual switching events by selected switching devices; (b) a switching control device coupled with the switching array that provides power to the switching array for sensing and for a first time interval after a first switching device is actuated. The control device identifies the first switching device during the first time interval and interrupts power to the switching array after the first time interval until the first switching device is deactuated. The control device provides power to the switching array for a second time interval after the first switching device is deactuated. The control device determines during the second time interval whether a second switching device other than the first switching device is actuated.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An electrical switching apparatus configured for low power operation;
- the apparatus comprising;
(a) a plurality of switching devices;
said plurality of switching devices being arranged in a switching array permitting sensing of individual switching events by selected switching devices of said plurality of switching devices;
(b) a switching control device coupled with said switching array;
said control device providing power to said switching array for said sensing and for a first time interval after a first said switching device of said plurality of switching devices is actuated;
said control device identifying said first switching device during said first time interval;
said control device interrupting power to said switching array after said first time interval until said first switching device is deactuated;
said control device providing power to said switching array for a second time interval after said first switching device is deactuated;
said control device determining during said second time interval whether a second said switching device of said plurality of switching devices other than said first switching device is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- the apparatus comprising;
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5. A switching control apparatus for controlling an electrical keyswitch array including a plurality of keyswitches;
- the apparatus comprising;
(a) a switching control device coupled with said keyswitch array;
said switching control device controlling application of electrical power to said keyswitch array; and
(b) a sensing device coupled with said keyswitch array;
said sensing device cooperating with said switching device to effect periodic sensing of respective keyswitches of said plurality of keyswitches;
said switching control device providing said electrical power to said keyswitch array for said sensing and during a first time interval after a first keyswitch of said plurality of keyswitches is actuated;
said sensing device identifying said first keyswitch during said first time interval;
said switching device interrupting power to said keyswitch array after said first time interval until said sensing device senses said first keyswitch is deactuated;
said switching device providing said electrical power to said keyswitch array for a second time interval after said first keyswitch is deactuated;
said sensing device sensing during said second time interval whether a second said keyswitch of said plurality of keyswitches other than said first keyswitch is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
- the apparatus comprising;
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9. A method for operating an electrical switching apparatus;
- said electrical switching apparatus including a plurality of switching devices arranged in a switching array;
said switching array being configured to permit sensing of individual switching events by selected switching devices of said plurality of switching devices;
the method comprising the steps of;(a) detecting when a first switching device of said plurality of switching devices is actuated;
(b) providing power to said switching array for said sensing and for a first time interval after said first switching device is actuated;
(c) identifying said first switching device during said first time interval;
(d) interrupting power to said switching array after said first time interval until said first switching device is deactuated;
(e) providing power to said switching array for a second time interval after said first switching device is deactuated; and
(f) determining during said second time interval whether a second said switching device of said plurality of switching devices other than said first switching device is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
- said electrical switching apparatus including a plurality of switching devices arranged in a switching array;
Specification